Here are some interesting statistics for the tax return season just completed.

The service says it has processed 77.1 million returns through March 22nd of this year compared with 82 million returns last year.

The average refund this year is $2827. Compare this with the average refund last year of $2860. The reason for the delay this year is simple Congress did not agree on many of the tax rules to be applied until the very last minute.

The IRS had to adjust the computers and other forms so they didn’t begin the process returns until about 10 days late.

The number of people filing electronic returns has continue to grow. So far this year IRS has accepted 72.5 million electronic returns.

One other interesting fact. Over $171 billion in refunds have been sent to taxpayers by direct deposit